Contracts with Cane Cutters. 301 



the slack season. In 1887 seven men absconded but 

 with that exception all the men who have signed con- 

 trafts have either fulfilled them, returned the money or 

 been excused. Only 3 cases before the magistrate have 

 arisen out of these 720 contra6ls. The prices for cane 

 cutting which continued to be i6 and 14 cents have ad- 

 vanced this year to 18 and 20 cents a cord of burnt and 

 unburnt canes respectively. Prizes from $50 downwards 

 were paid to the men who earned the most money at 

 cane cutting in the years 1884, '85 and '89 and $100 

 downwards in the years 1886, '87 and '88. 



Benjamin McPherson who belongs to Ann's Grove, 

 East Coast, Demerara, has won the first prize for the 

 last 4 seasons. His earnings for the 43 weeks of crop 

 season during those years has been $216 or $5 02 

 a week on the average. He works as a foreman at 

 the Gold-Diggings when no cane cutting is going on 

 at Anna Regina. His brother has won the second 

 prize once, and his cousin three times. 



The cost of cane cutting under this system of con- 

 trafts including bounties, prizes and hospital benefits ex- 

 tended to the men, is about $4 per ton of ist sugar at 

 the present prices of 18 and 20 cents a cord. Consider- 

 ing that no house accommodation has to be provided and 

 that the estate is under no obligation to find work for the 

 labourers during the 9 months a year during which no 

 sugar is made, the price is not unreasonable for an 

 ample supply of freshly cut canes. In dry weather each 

 man can, on the average, cut enough canes in a week to 

 make a little over a ton of sugar. 



PP2 



